Hot Springs & Monterey, VA

$5.2 million bond for Conservancy approved BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - Bath County supervisors have ratified issuing a tax-exempt bond for up to $5.2 million by Bath's Industrial Development Authorityfor The Nature Conservancy to refinance the debt on the Warm Springs Mountain Preserve. More ...       Smoked rolled into the sky and traffic rolled to a stop following an electrical storm late Tuesday afternoon. Monterey, McDowell, Bolar and Blue Grass volunteer fire departments were called to a structure fire on Jackson River Road just north of Mustoe. More ... Highland FFA member named state secretary BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - "I decided to run a year and half ago," said Tommy Hevener Jr. of Monterey. Hevener has been selected to the second highest position in the Virginia State Future Farmers of America organization He had a three-day interview to endure; he was tested on FFA knowledge, had to write an es... More ... Bath comprehensive plan: Approved BY CHARLES GARRATT • STAFF WRITER       WARM SPRINGS - With minor changes, the Bath County board of supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the new comprehensive plan. Cluster development, horses in residential districts, and commercial wind generation were the main topics of concern voiced by two dozen citizens attending the... More ... Experts debate wind project, again BY ANNE ADAMS • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Preparations have been under way for weeks, and this Tuesday, the State Corporation Commission will hold its second evidentiary hearing on what could be Virginia's first industrial wind energy utility. More ... Suffolk man hired for new athletic, recreation director job at Highland BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Brian W. Parker of Suffolk is the pick for the newly created position of Highland County athletic/ recreation director, said Highland County Public Schools' superintendent Gary Blair this week. The Highland County School Board approved Blair's recommendation to hire Parker after discu... More ... Leaks, decay evident at schools BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - Highland County Public Schools superintendent Gary Blair gave school board members a tour Monday, showing them areas in need of renovation, maintenance or upgrade. The high school is 40 years old and the elementary school is 10. More ... Electric use increasing 3 percent a year BARC says it may need to expand in coming years BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER       MONTEREY - "If you hear of economic development opportunities, let us know," BARC Electric Cooperative manager of operations Dale Meyer told the Highland County Economic Development Authority Tuesday. Meyer gave the EDA an overview of BARC's operations, including a description of how power was d... More ... Correction       In last week's Recorder "In Brief" article on the Highland County Board of Supervisor's meeting, the commissioner of revenue was described as asking for additional overtime money. That is incorrect; she was asking for $2,037 to cover "additional part-time funding. More ... In Brief . . . Bath Supervisors       After receiving no comment during a public hearing, Bath County supervisors amended the county Erosion and Sedimentation ordinance to bring it into compliance with state law. More ... Behind the scenes Bath art show to feature 611 works BY MARGO OXENDINE • CONTRIBUTING WRITER       ASHWOOD - Ready for some fun? The Bath County Art Show opens this Sunday, July 15. Some 611 photos, watercolors, oils, pastels, acrylics, graphics and works of sculpture and mixed media will be displayed for eight days, from 1:30 until 5 p.m., at Valley Elementary School. More ... Highland pool: Series of events       1998 - In a combined effort, the Highland County Board of Supervisors, Highland school board, and Town of Monterey pursue the idea of a recreation complex next to high school, and Blackwell Engineering is hired to design plans. More ...       This quilt recently won "Best of Show" at the Tender Heart Quilts Quilt Show and Open House, held June 30 and July 1. The quilt, "Sarah's Patchwork Stars," was made by Shirley McDaniel of Millboro. More ... Memorial, walk to honor veterans at courthouse lawn       MONTEREY - Work has begun on a Veterans Memorial to be located on the courthouse lawn in Monterey as depicted in the above artist's rendition, said Richard Waybright of the Highland County Veterans Memorial Committee. The memorial will include a granite wall honoring veterans from all branches o... More ... Association announces plans for 56th county fair       MONTEREY - The Highland County Fair Association continues to meet monthly to plan the 2007 fair. A goal of the fair is to provide a fun, educational forum, which allows activities, skills, arts, and crafts to be demonstrated and products exhibited. More ... Jewelry featured       MONTEREY - The Monterey Garden Club met Tuesday, July 3 at the Highland County Library with a program presented by member Shirley Weissenborn. She shared her newfound talent for making one of-a-kind pieces of jewelry using precious metal clay. For her designs, Shirley uses silver clay. More ... Tidbits       Dick and Mamie Eagle have recently sold their home in Monterey and moved to Richmond, to be closer to their daughter, Debbie and her family. They have lived in Highland County all their lives and will always have fond memories of their years and experiences there. They will always consider i... More ... Photos      Conley Colaw stands in front of the garden he's been landscaping since April. (Recorder photos by Lee Gibson) More ... Millboro Happenings By Gina Hamilton       A motorcycle show and dance for youngsters in grades 3-8 will be held Saturday, July 14 at Lickety Splits restaurant on Route 42, just off the Route 39/42 intersection. The show will be held from 5-7 p.m., and the dance from 7-10 p.m., sponsored by the restaurant and the Badlanders motorcycl... More ...       New beauty spot - The parking lot between the Millboro Ruritan Club and town pool sports a new look, thanks to the efforts of Master Gardener Vivian Manis, a member of Ruritans. More ... Building permits Bath County       MONTEREY - The following building permits were issued by the Bath County Department of Building and Zoning in the month of June, with a total value of $674,718. Wayne E. and Paula Conner, construction dwelling with attached garage; Charles E. More ... Bloodmobile visits Bath County       During a crucial time of blood shortage, the Bath County Chapter of the American Red Cross reported a successful Bloodmobile visit on Monday, July 9. With 55 donors, two were first time donors, 52 pints were collected. More ... Elliott's returns to Bath County to cook, cater BY TYLER DIAMOND • CONTRIBUTING WRITER       MILLBORO SPRINGS - Great food was everywhere at the grand opening of Elliott's Catering a week ago Saturday night. Every passerby noticed the buffet table in the dining room covered with tasty hors d'oeuvres. A large turnout joined Josh Elliott for the opening of his catering service. More ...       The Highland Seniors are working on a new raffle quilt, "The Maple Leaf," for 2008. They are getting help from Janice Estrada. The quilt can be seen at The Highland Center in Monterey. More ...       This quilt was raffled during the Relay for Life in Millboro and at Tender Heart Quilts to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Pictured is Mary Ann Bowden of Lexington, winner of the quilt. More ... Photos       The Sundance Express (top) competed at Dieter's Clogging Beach Jam in Myrtle Beach, S.C last month, where the team placed in every event in which it competed and brought home second in traditional line, More ... Photos       The Highland County Arts Council presented a performance of "Wonderland" at The Highland Center a couple of weeks ago. At left, Ashley Hiner brushes up on her lines before going on stage. More ... Take it easy: New driving laws tougher       RICHMOND - The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles will charge a $50 fee to applicants who fail to show up after scheduling a commercial driver's license skills test. The new law is aimed at reducing the number of testing applicants who make appointments with commercial driver's license examine... More ... Petty ride coming to Bath       HOT SPRINGS - NASCAR driver Kyle Petty will arrive in Hot Springs Tuesday, July 17 during the 13th annual Chick-fil-A Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America. The charity ride will cover more than 2,800 miles in eight days as Petty, his wife Pattie, and father, Richard, lead more than 250 friends... More ... Hospital offers diabetic education       HOT SPRINGS - Type 2 diabetes is a local and national epidemic affecting both adults and children. Bath Community Hospital recognizes the need to provide tools and education for residents with diabetes to help them take charge of their disease. More ...